Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 142

Transcript

One of the excitements of the fifties, was the Ferry Road drain.

Bankruptcy in the form that it is at the present day, and for many years past was not the mode of procedure of the fifties and early sixties – assignments were of course then as now. But there was no Bankruptcy form handy to shelter the debtor. A summons or a writ, judgement execution, no goods, to gaol. “Over the Hill” as the phrase went. The creditor had to pay five shillings per week for the Debtor’s keep, if not paid the jailor kicked him out. In one instance as man was kept 15 months, or more, in jail. Things changed in the after sixties. There was a perfect inroad into Canterbury of “used ups” from Otago, the furore of the gold rush had cooled. These were mostly people who had done the round of Victoria to Otago. And they were mostly hard cases. So called Contractors, publicans, agents, auctioneers, and such like. They introduced the accursed Victorian cutting system. Tenders for everything – even to a W.C. That of course spelt Bankruptcy recklessness &c. By this time a Bankruptcy Act came in Trustee &c. It was simply a farce. “Filing your Shovel” was a standing joke. Little Jock McGregor used to fill up forms, with the ease of filling a claim to vote. One F.H. Seager was Trustee. He put all the Estates in one pot. J.E. Graham was another Trustee and others. People used to go through like shelling peas. Settlement on the wife &c. Friendly lead. Oh how many little stories could be told.